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Governor Kemp Extends State of Emergency for Four North Georgia Counties Following Severe Flooding

Governor Kemp Extends State of Emergency for Four North Georgia Counties Following Severe Flooding

Governor Brian Kemp has extended the State of Emergency for Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, and Union counties in North Georgia for an additional seven days, following severe flooding that occurred last week. The executive order, signed on Thursday, ensures that state emergency resources remain deployed in these four mountain counties until 11:59 p.m. on November 19, unless further renewed or ended earlier. The flooding, which resulted from a storm system on November 5-6, caused the death of 56-year-old Ellijay resident Julie Barrs in Murray County and necessitated 100 water rescues across Fannin and Gilmer counties. Widespread damage to roads and culverts cut off residents, and the Toccoa River crested at a record 18 feet in McCaysville. Preliminary assessments in Fannin County indicate 38 homes were destroyed and 169 sustained major damage, with two businesses destroyed and 78 severely damaged.
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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Appoints Three to Cobb County State Court

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Appoints Three to Cobb County State Court

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced three appointments to the State Court of Cobb County. Judge Ashley J. Palmer will transition from Division II to Division I, filling the vacancy left by Judge Jane P. Manning's resignation. Cobb Magistrate Court Judge Mellori E. Lumpkin-Dawson has been appointed to fill Judge Palmer's former seat in Division II. Additionally, Marietta attorney D. Austin Gillis will also join Division II, taking the place of Judge Marsha S. Lake, who resigned. Judge Palmer was initially appointed to Division II in June 2021 and has a background in bankruptcy, securities, corporate, and fiduciary litigation, as well as experience as an assistant public defender and senior assistant county attorney. Judge Lumpkin-Dawson, appointed to the Cobb County Magistrate Court in 2024, has served as a special assistant district attorney and an assistant U.S. attorney. D. Austin Gillis has nearly two decades of private practice experience in civil litigation, including personal injury, medical ma...
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Digital Nomad Destinations and Visa Requirements Evolve for 2026

Digital Nomad Destinations and Visa Requirements Evolve for 2026

Digital Nomad Destinations and Visa Requirements Evolve for 2026
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Amtrak Train Collides with Semi-Truck in Douglas County, No Injuries Reported

Amtrak Train Collides with Semi-Truck in Douglas County, No Injuries Reported

An Amtrak train collided with a semi-truck in Douglas County, Georgia, resulting in road closures but no reported injuries. The incident occurred in the area of Veterans Memorial Highway and Municipal Parkway. NewsChopper2 footage showed the Amtrak train involved in the crash. This marks the third collision between a truck and a train in the metro Atlanta area within approximately the last week. According to a tow truck driver at the scene, neither the semi-truck driver nor any of the 90 passengers on the Amtrak train sustained injuries. The semi-truck was reportedly split in half and was hauling aluminum products. The train itself sustained minimal damage and was able to depart the scene. As of 11:30 a.m., Veterans Memorial Highway had reopened, but the railroad crossing at Municipal Parkway remained closed as authorities continued their work. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office advised drivers to exercise caution in the area.
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Coastal golf course with royal name wraps up renovation in Georgia

Coastal golf course with royal name wraps up renovation in Georgia

This Lowcountry layout has all new greens and better views.
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Georgia Department of Natural Resources Addresses Feral Hog Management Challenges

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Addresses Feral Hog Management Challenges

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is highlighting the significant issues caused by feral hogs, an invasive species in the state. These animals are responsible for extensive damage to native flora and fauna, agricultural crops, livestock, and forest regeneration. Despite the popularity of sport hunting for feral hogs, the DNR emphasizes that this method is rarely effective in controlling their populations or mitigating the damage they cause. The department provides resources such as the 'Georgia Landowner’s Guide to Wild Pig Management' and a video series from the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts to educate the public on identification, biology, behavior, damage, and control methods for feral hogs. This initiative aims to equip landowners and the public with better tools and knowledge to manage this pervasive problem.
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Middle Georgia State University Provost Honored for Victim Services Curriculum Development

Middle Georgia State University Provost Honored for Victim Services Curriculum Development

Dr. David Jenks, Provost of Middle Georgia State University (MGA), has been recognized by Marsy’s Law for Georgia with a Champion Award. The award acknowledges his significant role in establishing the Victim Services Certification curriculum within MGA’s School of Education and Behavioral Science. This program aims to equip future victim service providers with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Dr. Jenks, who has over two decades of experience in higher education and victim services program development, previously founded the Department of Criminology at the University of West Georgia. His work in victim advocacy extends internationally, having contributed to modernizing victim services in various agencies across Eastern Europe. The curriculum at MGA was developed in collaboration with Dr. Brittani McNeal and Dr. Rita Davis-Cannon, Director of Victim Services for the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, to create a comprehensive syllabus for students entering the field.
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Wyoming's Revenue Forecast Exceeds Expectations, Driven by Strong Oil Prices and Sales Tax

Wyoming's Revenue Forecast Exceeds Expectations, Driven by Strong Oil Prices and Sales Tax

Wyoming's Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) has reported a significantly stronger revenue forecast for the state, with general fund revenues improving by $257 million compared to its January outlook. This positive shift is primarily attributed to robust oil prices, higher-than-expected sales and use tax collections, and record investment income. CREG co-Chair Kevin Hibbard highlighted state sales tax income as a major surprise, largely due to increased prices in the retail sector. Oil production also contributed to the sales tax increase, as companies purchased supplies. Governor Mark Gordon is expected to present his supplemental budget proposal on Monday, utilizing these updated projections.
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Fayetteville City Council Approves Grant to Attract Electric Motor Factory, Competing with Georgia

Fayetteville City Council Approves Grant to Attract Electric Motor Factory, Competing with Georgia

Fayetteville City Council Approves Grant to Attract Electric Motor Factory, Competing with Georgia
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New voices turn midterms in Georgia. How young voters swung for Ossoff

New voices turn midterms in Georgia. How young voters swung for Ossoff

Voters under the age of 30, particularly Black and Hispanic voters, swung overwhelmingly for Jon Ossoff in the Georgia Senate race this cycle.
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Federal Officials Review Flood Damage in Polk County, Tennessee, Following Copperhill Flooding

Federal Officials Review Flood Damage in Polk County, Tennessee, Following Copperhill Flooding

Federal officials, including representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), have joined a review of flood damage in Polk County, Tennessee. This assessment follows severe flooding in Copperhill, which prompted the Tennessee Emergency Management Authority (TEMA) to activate the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 4 – Elevated. TEMA also activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan to coordinate support for local response efforts. Over 100 people and 25 dogs were rescued in Tennessee and Georgia by Tennessee Fire Mutual Aid swift-water teams. The Copperhill evacuation order has since been lifted, and cleanup and debris removal are underway. Residents are advised to document damage before cleanup and follow local guidance.
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GHD Secures Major Port Engineering Contracts in Los Angeles and Savannah

GHD Secures Major Port Engineering Contracts in Los Angeles and Savannah

GHD Secures Major Port Engineering Contracts in Los Angeles and Savannah